Moore’s ties to the river go to his childhood, when he lived at Fort Snelling where his father worked. Moore continues to lead the group with a passion, but now has a focus on the future.

“The board decided a few years ago we really wanted to center on the next generation. To get the young people the organizing skills they need to carry on,” said Moore, as he sat in the Java River coffee shop in Montevideo. The shop is one of the offshoots of the local, sustainability, river-centered movement spawned by the 17-year-old CURE group.

Brooke Herling is one of the young leaders Moore said will carry on the effort in the river valley. She went through the Organizing Apprenticeship Program in the Twin Cities, a 20-year old program aimed at training activists.

Herling said she wasn’t planning on staying in Montevideo or being an activist when she stopped to visit relatives there two years ago.

“I came for a two-week visit and have been here ever since. I just had three kayaks and a bike. I met Patrick and I just fell in love with the river,” Herling said.

CURE has a number of projects under way connected to youth, including a series of audio CDs and video clips in which young people interview older residents about local history.

The organization also was involved in developing the first Green Route map, a program that is now national. Green Route maps list a variety of places to eat, visit, shop and stay that are consistent with sustainable living.

“We focus on the local people, history, art and food. And the river ties it all together,” Moore said.

Wehrspann, who travels the river almost daily on his pontoon, said the activism has made a difference.

“I’m just thankful for everything we’ve kept from being lost. Without the efforts of CURE, we’d see more degradation.”

Still, he says increased farm drainage, development, mining and other pressures continue to harm the river.

“I don’t think the river has improved. We’ve slowed the degradation, but it’s still happening.”

One bright sign, though, has been more wildlife since farm land was put into CREP.

“I’ve noticed wildlife is improving many-fold since the darkest days. Waterfowl production, pheasants, turkeys, eagles, osprey, songbirds — it’s gotten better.”